The Hershey Bears fell to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 4-1 Wednesday night at Giant Center in Hershey. The loss drops the Bears record to 5-3-2-1 (13 points) on the season.
SUMMARY
The Bears struck first with a goal from Mike Sgarbossa less than four minutes into the contest for a 1-0 lead at the first intermission. The Phantoms would strike for four goals in the second period, including two shorthanded goals on the same Bears power play for a 4-1 lead at the second intermission. The final frame would go scoreless.
STARTERS
Pheonix Copley (2-2-1-0, 2.75 GAA, .901 sv%) got the start between the pipes for the Bears. Felix Sandstrom (2-1-1, 3.18 GAA, .897 sv%) got the start in goal for the visiting Phantoms. The starting forward lines and defensive pairs for the Bears:
Scratches: Brian Pinho (injury), Mike Vecchione (injury), Cody Franson (injury) and Eddie Whittchow (injury).
Recalled to Hershey: Jake Massie and Hunter Shepard were recalled from South Carolina on November 10. Drake Rymshaw was brought in from the Fort Wayne Komets on November 10.
Recalled to Capitals: Aliaksei Protas and Zach Fucale were recalled by the Capitals on November 10.
Suspended: Dylan McIlrath served the first game of a two-game suspension.
FIRST PERIOD
The Bears struck equick after Garrett Pilon jumped on a loose puck and dished to Mike Sgarbossa for the game’s first tally at 3:19 of the first period. Pilon (4) and Matt Moulson (4) had the assists.
Garret Pilon to Mike Sgarbossa for the score. Bears lead 1-0. #HBH pic.twitter.com/ncLa13sdEL
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) November 11, 2021
The rest of the period would go scoreless as the Bears led 1-0 at the first intermission. Bears led in shots 9-6 after the first 20 minutes. Lehigh Valley was 0 for 2 on the power play while the Bears did not have a man advantage during the first 20 minutes of play.
SECOND PERIOD
The Phantoms would the game on a long distance shot from the left point by Max Willman (5) just 53 seconds into the middle frame. Cal O’Reilly (2) had the lone assist.
Lehigh Valley ties it up 1-1, with a shot from Pittsburgh. #HBH pic.twitter.com/icmUs20XXY
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) November 11, 2021
The Phantoms would take their first lead of the game on a power play goal from Gerry Mayhew (5) at 11:32 of the middle frame.
LV takes a 2-1 lead on PPG by Gerry Mayhew. #HBH pic.twitter.com/XQ6Qqsvcxr
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) November 11, 2021
The Phantoms would record two shorthanded goals on the same Bears power play to take a 4-1 lead. Jackson Cates (2) and Cal O’Reilly(1) had the two shorties. Bobby Nardella and Alex Alexeyev had the key turnovers that led to the goals.
The wheels have come off in Hershey as fans begin to booo the team. They give up back-to-back shorthanded goals on the same Bears power play. LV leads 4-1. #HBH pic.twitter.com/eVeo6A2AuO
— Jon Sorensen (@jon_m_sorensen) November 11, 2021
The period would end with the Pantoms lead 4-1. Hershey led in shots 17-15 after two periods. The Pantoms were 1 for 4 and the Bears 0 for 2 on the power play after two periods.
THIRD PERIOD
The Bears and Phantoms would skate to a scoreless draw in the final frame. The Phantoms would win this one, 4-1.
The Bears are back in action on Saturday when they visit the Crunch in Syracuse. Puck drop is 7:00 PM.
SHAVINGS
- AHL box score
- Attendance: 6,813
By Jon Sorensen
Well, given that a good chunk of the team is either with the Caps or injured, I’m guessing we can expect a tough period for the Bears. Good news is that guys like Malenstyn, Pilon, Sutter, Clark and Gersich should get lots of TOI to prove… whatever they can prove.